Finally, Professor Erik Spiekermann has received the recognition he deserves. The information architect and ‘father of fonts’ has become a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) on the diplomatic list for services to the global development of type.

Professor Spiekermann when interviewed by The Times said the Queen was very relaxed and even joked, saying “I’m not sure this is justified”. When asked whether he was surprised by the honour, Sir Erik replied,

“No, not at all; it’s about bloody time.”

I’m sure you’d all like to join with me in congratulating Sir Erik.

This great news comes just days after Spiekermann was appointed to Microsoft’s board of Directors. He’ll be serving as their new Director of Fonts for a record $1.2m salary.

A little tutorial: PS — dupe image into an editable layer. Select Extract Filter. Draw over outline and close that. Fill with bucket. Check OK. Use History Brush to paint in holes.
Easy. And makes for a more convincing image.

Not to spoil the joke, but isn’t Erik – as a German national – ineligible for anything other than just an honorary knighthood from Her Majesty? Perhaps a true British compatriot could answer this definitively…

On the subject of Her Majesty’s subjects worthy of honours, IIRC Matthew Carter is still a British national, despite his residence in that other Cambridge, on the American side of the pond. After all the good that his typefaces have done for the world, hasn’t he brought enough glory to the island of Britain? Several museums and cultural institutions seem to think so… I’ve even seen Verdana mentioned on British TV as on of the best pieces of British design ;-) Just how does one lobby Buckingham Palace for a Matthew Carter knighthood?

Coming back to Erik Spiekermann, I don’t know what his political inclinations are… but seeing as that Germany is currently under an umbrella government, couldn’t someone finally find room for him as the nation’s Minister of Typography? In terms of lobbying, I’ll be that Ms. Merkel’s chancellory in Berlin is a bit easier to e-mail than Buckingham Palace!

Ha ha! I didn’t end up fooling anyone today and didn’t get fooled either (surprisingly)… Untill now. But then, I was wondering why there was a post on a Tuesday, coz there isn’t usually one till late wednesday. Then I saw his head and the date struck me.
Brilliant one though! Thoroughly enjoyed getting fooled! =D

The first thought that came to my mind was - Since when Her Majesty started appreciating and rewarding Type designers? It’s not that they’ve been inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, or something to get noticed by the Queen ;-)